In many households pets are part of the family. No doubt, pets are wonderful beings to live with, but the challenge lies in keeping the house clean. Fur, dander, litter boxes, sometimes makes it frustrating to have pets. The only way one could appreciate the presence of pets is by keeping the house clean, which requires some extra effort. The below tips could help you have a clean house while having pets around.
Train your pets
Even before you think about cleaning, the first thing you need to do, to train the pets. Training helps them inculcate certain habits, and is likely to reduce your cleaning burden. Start training them as soon as you bring them home or when they are young. Instill proper potty habits, eating habits and also set up a separate living area. Till the time they get used to everything, you need to accompany them. Praising and rewarding the pets whenever they follow your instructions speeds up the training process.
Keep them out of your bedroom
Many pet owners allow their pets to sleep with them in bed. This could be very comforting for the pets from a psychological point of view, but when it comes to cleanliness, it poses potential health risks, especially to those who are asthmatic or prone to allergies. Dogs and cats bring some unfriendly guests, including fleas, bacteria, parasites, when they join you in bed. It’s likely that you may catch any of the infections by sleeping next to them. To prevent that, it’s always better to keep your pets away from your bedrooms.
Dealing with pet fur
One of the toughest cleanliness challenges when you have pets is pet fur/hairs. Furry pets like dogs and cats shed their fur wherever they go. They is no breed that doesn’t shed at all, some may shed less often while others shed quite frequently. When you don’t want to deal with pet fur, it’s always wise to go for breeds that shed less.
There are many ways to scoop up the pet hair; you can use swiffers, hand-held vacuums and dustpans. You can reduce the number of cleaning schedules by following proper grooming practices. Brushing your dog and cat regularly may reduce amount of hair in the air or on the floor. It also decreases the health problems related to the hair. Use a right brush suitable for the breed and always brush your pet outside the house.
Invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner with high-grade filters and make sure to vacuum at least once a week. Use the tool to suction hairs from your carpets, sofas, curtains and all the open spaces where your pet freely moves.
Clean and disinfect the surfaces regularly
If you don’t have time to clean all the surfaces every day, then it is better to limit your pet’s access to a few areas or to a single room or to its own kennel.
But when you allow your pet to freely access most of the areas in your house, then it is important to exercise cleanliness to maintain hygiene. If you have fabric-covered furniture, like sofas and carpets, make sure to vacuum them. Clean and mop the surfaces wherever your pets move. Don’t leave any food spills on the kitchen counter tops as pets have a tendency to lick food, which transfers bacteria from their mouth to the surfaces. Clean and disinfect your kitchen tops every day if you allow your pet in your kitchen.
Keep separate containers to feed pets and instill right feeding habits. Use big bowls and trays to feed food to avoid spilling. Clean them with hot water and dish washing liquid.
One final tip to get rid of pet odors, all pet owners are familiar with, is by using natural odor absorbers like baking soda and vinegar. You can also use room/air refreshers to make your house smell fresh.